Oh sorry I was unaware that 'partner' was the new PC term. Substitute any word you like in that sentence and the meaning does not change, unless you really mean partner, as in gay marriage, then that obviously wouldn't elicit the same public response as it would already be common knowledge. Coincidently, that is exactly what I recommended in an earlier part of this thread. But that type of disconnect often happens when the pieces of a post get separated from the context of the original comment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

How could you be misunderstood?

I'll shut up now since this is exactly what I predicted would happen when I decided to post an opinion in this thread.

Whenever I hear about some prominent heterosexual "involved" with a member of the "opposite sex" I get a little queasy considering their choice to take a "lover" and involve themselves in a "tryst."

I recently watched an episode of "Jersey Shore", and I have to say I resent having the heterosexual lifestyle (which frankly appears to be kind of a horrorshow, although I'm sure the PC crowd will get on my case for saying so) pushed in my face. I think its fine what heterosexuals do in the privacy of their own (poorly decorated) bedrooms, or sweaty sex clubs, or "that part of town", just don't go around making a big deal out of it.

They spoke of the sayings and doings of their commander, the grand duke, and told stories of his kindness and irascibility.

That makes two of us. I have a hard time believing that there are people who are truly sad enough to care about such things. There's not a thing in the world about a person's preference for a partner that could make them any less of a person...they're alive and have thoughts and feelings just like anyone else. (That's not anyone's invitation to start explaining "reasons". The implied question is rhetorical and you'll fall on deaf ears anyway.)

I don't know that I'd be so quick as to call AppleInsider's reporting offensive either. If Mr. Cook is open about his orientation (as the article suggests), what reason is there for not including such information in a news article about him...?

That makes two of us. I have a hard time believing that there are people who are truly sad enough to care about such things. There's not a thing in the world about a person's preference for a partner that could make them any less of a person...they're alive and have thoughts and feelings just like anyone else. (That's not anyone's invitation to start explaining "reasons". The implied question is rhetorical and you'll fall on deaf ears anyway.)

I don't know that I'd be so quick as to call AppleInsider's reporting offensive either. If Mr. Cook is open about his orientation (as the article suggests), what reason is there for not including such information in a news article about him...?

The article (this AI piece) actually doesn't state that he is open about his orientation at all, quite the opposite really. This is all based on rumor and speculative comments by unnamed sources. Which makes this AI article a piece of bad journalism IMO. Mr Cook is entitled to be whatever he wants, it's his life after all, but nowhere it seems has HE publicity stated his position. Therefore, I find it obnoxious that DED feels the need to "report" on speculative claims by what appears to be an unscrupulous organization. Whilst his article could appear to be neutral, because he is reporting what someone else said, there is no need to give any credence to this type of trash journalism. If Mr Cook had decided to comment in public then it would be different. Our standards continue to erode on a daily basis it seems. Journalists know to go to the source for information, clearly DED has not done that here.

Strange that this article seems to couch the things Cook does (works out early, efficient, requiring a relationship with a powerful character to get Cook to "blossom", so to speak, as if he couldn't do it on his own) as context for a gay lifestyle.

The real kicker of the piece, though, is the picture. Cook might be "unflappable", but what he's not is a charismatic leader. This, obviously enough, has nothing to do with sexual orientation. There's a reason everyone's wearing jeans in that shot.

Cook might keep the throne warm for Jobs' return, but I'm not sure he's the man to constantly reinvent Apple's products the way Jobs has.

The article (this AI piece) actually doesn't state that he is open about his orientation at all, quite the opposite really. This is all based on rumor and speculative comments by unnamed sources. Which makes this AI article a piece of bad journalism IMO.

Okay. Somehow I thought it did. Perhaps I misunderstood what was said and what was not. It wouldn't be the first time.

I won't get into the debate on DED's news reporting skills other than to say that he has written some articles that I found enjoyable and interesting.

Gay or not, he seems to know how to lead the team troops when Steve is unavailable. I am amazed that gender, race and sexual orientation are even an issue when assessing someone's ability to lead a company. People should be considered on their merits.

Most of us gays totally agree with you. We are not shocked when one of our own who finds himself or herself caught in the public media storm stays quiet and doesn't comment on such a private issue. We don't blast them for being ashamed because we understand that more often than not shame isn't the issue - it is rather the desire to be judged as a person and not stereotyped due to a single label

Unfortunately gay obsessed Ryan Tate disagrees and tries to turn everything into a major gay issue that the world has a right to know about. Even when he has zero proof of anything, including the sexuality of the person in question. I swear sometimes it feels like he is the one ashamed of being gay and is trying to make himself feel better by claiming all the cool kids are gay also (making him cool by association)

It's funny that most people who complain about having to be PC are simply assholes who don't like being called out for behaving like assholes.

Wow, I'm really getting behind the times here with the terminology. I also did not know that asshole is a new PC term for uninformed. Not sure if you were referring to my comment as a complaint or not. But to clarify, It wasn't.

Sure, but profiling a person and simply stating that they are gay is not and should not be considered embarrassing or an invasion of his privacy..

Now, if they were slandering him for being gay, and going on about details of his sex life and sexual partners, then yes, I'd consider that an invasion of privacy.. Being gay is a big part of who a person is, and without being invasive or going into details, this article listed plenty of other things about his life... He is dedicated, he is a workaholic, he is a fitness nut, and yes, he also happens to be gay.. big deal..

You miss the point totally. Whether he is gay or not is irrelevant. The point is that AI is repeating gossip that he MAY be gay, which is pure speculation and that is absolutely wrong. I am not gay and I would be very upset if somebody went around spreading gossip that I was gay. If he is gay and wishes it to known fine but that should be his choice and his choice only.

All I care about is that he does a rest job at Apple, his sexual orientation is irrelevant to the discussion about how successful he is and will continue to be with Apple. I admire his ability and could care less about his personal life.

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." Douglas Adams

I don't know that I'd be so quick as to call AppleInsider's reporting offensive either. If Mr. Cook is open about his orientation (as the article suggests), what reason is there for not including such information in a news article about him...?

He's not open about it. Maybe with friends and family. But not in the public sphere. It's a rumor started by two of valleywags "sources." so they're effectively repeating gossip.

Oh sorry I was unaware that 'partner' was the new PC term. Substitute any word you like in that sentence and the meaning does not change, unless you really mean partner, as in gay marriage, then that obviously wouldn't elicit the same public response as it would already be common knowledge.

You say that you can substitute any word and it would not change the meaning. Now how about if we refer to a non-married straight executive and talk about their girlfriend but instead refer to her as his lover. That doesn't change the meaning at all, now does it?

You say that you can substitute any word and it would not change the meaning. Now how about if we refer to a non-married straight executive and talk about their girlfriend but instead refer to her as his lover. That doesn't change the meaning at all, now does it?

There is certainly a derogatory association with the term’s usage, but did mstone’s quip mean it that way. His defense suggests that he didn’t. Lover seems to focus on the physical act of coitus while partner, spouse and other terms seem to focus on the emotonal pairing of the couple.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

I am beyond disgusted by this article.
You took gossip and speculation by a tabloid and expanded it into a horrible piece of junk.
Outing someone is NEVER okay and to do so in this manner is beyond disgusting.
It's offensive, trashy, and uncalled for.
AI moved to tabloid quality today and it is officially being deleted from my list of sites that I check several times a day.

While I understand and even agree with your disgust over the repeating of tabloid trash tactics, I am a little glad that Valleywag did it. Not that I think Cook is gay, care either way o think he should be outed or any of that. I just enjoy the idea of them shooting themselves yet again after last years iPad and iPhone stunts. They will keep pulling crap like this and piss off everyone. Or really cross a line and get sued for defamation of character or some such. And they will deserve it

And I still wonder when the last Verizon event before the iPhone 4 was. Maybe Apple didn't have to force Verizon to exclude Gawker. Maybe the Big V was already done with that friendship after the prior stunts

... "Gossip" usually deals with something negative or scandalous. It appears that Tim Cook is already "out", so there's nothing gossipy about this article. ...

Gossip is not based on facts but speculation. If Cook is not in fact gay, I would imagine he would consider this gossip as negative. All reports of his being gay have been pure speculation. Please show me one source where he himself says he is gay. Whether he is or isn't is irrelevant but you continue to spread the gossip with your remark even though you can't provide any verification where Cook himself said he was gay.

"A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools." Douglas Adams

You say that you can substitute any word and it would not change the meaning. Now how about if we refer to a non-married straight executive and talk about their girlfriend but instead refer to her as his lover. That doesn't change the meaning at all, now does it?

Look you guys are just trying to put your argument on me but I am just stating how I imagine the typical conservative stockholder would react to sensational news reports. Personally I wouldn't care if he was caught in a motel room with a farm animal. It makes no difference to me if he is gay or not as long as he doesn't screw up and make the stock drop.

If this was a story about the most powerful minority or female CEO in the US, everyone would be proud that Apple was getting this attention. (How many stories did we hear about Carly Fiorina when she took over at HP?)

Someone being female, or black/Asian/whatever isn't private knowledge. Unlike being gay which is private.

And then there is the fact that Cook has not stated as fact that he is gay. So this is all rumor that could be untrue. plus the implications in the source material that there is something wrong with his being gay (if it is true) and that most folks are homophones and this could ruin the company, because they won't buy anything from the company run by the gay guy

If this was a story about the most powerful minority or female CEO in the US, everyone would be proud that Apple was getting this attention. (How many stories did we hear about Carly Fiorina when she took over at HP?)

Did we commend Fiorina for being mentally challenged and being as successful at getting high ranking positions in companies even though she runs them into the ground?

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

There is certainly a derogatory association with the term’s usage, but did mstone’s quip mean it that way. His defense suggests that he didn’t. Lover seems to focus on the physical act of coitus while partner, spouse and other terms seem to focus on the emotional pairing of the couple.

I don't think Mstone knows what he means... all one has to ask is, "how sensational is it for one gay man to be with another gay man?". It aint news but for some reason or other Mstone thinks it's news and it will make the stock drop. What Mstone doesn't get is that it doesn't matter unless Cook is caught in bed with a 12 year old (or a farm animal)... that's news because both acts are illegal.

Whenever I hear about some prominent heterosexual "involved" with a member of the "opposite sex" I get a little queasy considering their choice to take a "lover" and involve themselves in a "tryst."

I recently watched an episode of "Jersey Shore", and I have to say I resent having the heterosexual lifestyle (which frankly appears to be kind of a horrorshow, although I'm sure the PC crowd will get on my case for saying so) pushed in my face. I think its fine what heterosexuals do in the privacy of their own (poorly decorated) bedrooms, or sweaty sex clubs, or "that part of town", just don't go around making a big deal out of it.

Touché!

"Swift generally gets you to the right way much quicker." - auxio -

"The perfect [birth]day -- A little playtime, a good poop, and a long nap." - Tomato Greeting Cards -

Or just looking for something you well knew would light up the boards??

For the faction arguing that the story's germane because it highlights where we've come and still need to get to in order to have a world where we've left old prejudices behind, you have half a point, but I remind you that it'd be different if Cook (assuming he hasn't been mis- or partly mis-characterized in this "reportage") had already announced (if he considered it an "event") or always simply discussed his presumed orientation openly.

But since he didn't, this is just "As the Apple Turns (Inside Out)"....

I thought it was a great article. As a gay man I enjoy reading about people being successful in the traditionally homophobic boys club of big business.

Cook has not claimed to be homosexual. The original article cites a couple of anonymous sources saying they're pretty sure he is. Cook's sexual orientation is brought up way down in the article yet is run as the headline on both the original and AI's cut & paste job.

The headlines of both articles are click-trolls. And both articles have been soundly criticized for being poor excuses for journalism.

Cook has not claimed to be homosexual. The original article cites a couple of anonymous sources saying they're pretty sure he is. Cook's sexual orientation is brought up way down in the article yet is run as the headline on both the original and AI's cut & paste job.

The headlines of both articles are click-trolls. And both articles have been soundly criticized for being poor excuses for journalism.

- Jasen.

Sadly, this thread has, by far, the most posts of any AI thread todat or yesterday.

Or just looking for something you well knew would light up the boards??

For the faction arguing that the story's germane because it highlights where we've come and still need to get to in order to have a world where we've left old prejudices behind, you have half a point, but I remind you that it'd be different if Cook (assuming he hasn't been mis- or partly mis-characterized in this "reportage") had already announced (if he considered it an "event") or always simply discussed his presumed orientation openly.

But since he didn't, this is just "As the Apple Turns (Inside Out)"....

For the most part I agree. I do however think Tim will gave to be above these kind of concerns and I suspect he is by a mile. This can't be his first rodeo. He's 51 and is second in command at apple. He will be just fine and will handle any questions like the professional he is. The focus for him will be the awesome products that apple makes. That's why he gets the big bucks.

you sound like an 18 year old who hasnt matured yet and still beats off to a Victoras' Secret catalog .. why this is even a story I will never understand but you know what, Tim Cook being gay or not will be the demise of RIMM. Besides he graduated from AUBURN.. Now grow up and quit acting like a 3rd grader.